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Jersey Co. infighting builds after porn accusations

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. (KSDK) - Allegations of harassment and Internet porn on a county computer are at the center of a government feud in Jersey County, Ill. One county employee has been fired, and now people are

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. (KSDK) - Allegations of harassment and Internet porn on a county computer are at the center of a government feud in Jersey County, Ill.

One county employee has been fired, and now people are choosing sides in a fight that long-time residents say is dividing the community.

No charges have been filed, so News Channel 5 is not naming the county employee, but it is hard to find many in Jersey County who do not already know his name.

It is also hard to find anyone who seems satisfied with the way their county government is functioning right now.

"I've never been to a dog and pony show but maybe this is it," said Bob Swearingin whose family roots in Jersey County go back more than 100 years. At times, he said the county board meeting Tuesday night seemed more spectacle than functional as he left.

But, the allegations that caused people to pack the meeting are serious.

A leaked document from the county's insurer says the county could be at a high risk for lawsuits.

The issues go back months and center around what the report calls "very, very bad material" found on a county supervisor's computer – pornography, say county officials.

On top of that, the county's insurer goes on to say that county officials failed to properly handle a 23-year-old woman's claims of harassment against the same supervisor.

In this small community, people are taking sides and the fighting is taking a toll.

"There's people that are friends that are starting to fight against each other because they think they know the truth and nobody but the county board and a few individuals know the truth," said life-long Jersey County resident Pam Sanford.

"We as a community need to work together, and it seems like the average everyday person doesn't have much input," said Swearingin.

The county supervisor accused of having pornography on his work computer denies it and says others in his office had access to his computer. His attorney says he may file a lawsuit on the grounds that a proper investigation was never conducted.

Family members of the young woman he is accused of harassing say she, too, may file suit.

On Wednesday, all county board members are scheduled to appear before a judge who may determine what they are and are not allowed to discuss publicly when it comes to this issue.